Time automatic cut-off and light-extinguishing apparatus.



Patented Mar. I3, l900..

H. L. GRUQKE.

TIME AUTDMA'HG CUT-OFF AND LIGHT EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

(Application filed In. 12, 1898) 3 Sheets-Sheet I,

(No Model.)

5 his MAM No. 645,258. Patented Mar. 13, I900. H. L. GROOME.

THE AUTOMATIC GUT-OFF AND LIGHT EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

(Application flld Bar. 12, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(No Model.)

THi scams Pnzns c0, PHOTOJJTHQ, wasHmnwN, n, c.

No. 645,258. Patented' Mar.- l3, I900. ,HrL. GROOME.

TlME AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF AND LIGHT EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Mar. 12, 1898.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

1 Vflmw W m imam: mans co, mmaurua, WASHINGTON n c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY L. GROOlVIE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TIME AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF AND LIGHT-EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,258, dated March 13, 1900. Application filed March 12, 1898. $erial No. 673,569. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. GRooME, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time Automatic Cut-Off and Light-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for controlling the flow of fluids of any kind or the passage of electrical currents, and has for its object to provide an apparatus of simple construction which may be adjusted to effect the automatic stoppage or starting of the flow of fluid or current at any predetermined time.

The device is intended principally for cutting off the flow of gas, steam, or other fluid or a lightning-current in stores or factories at any desired time, as 'afterthe departure of employees; butit may also be used to startthe flow or maybe employed to set off explosive charges, as'in mines or marine torpedoes. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of an automatic controlling device constructedin accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same, partly in section, on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation, on an enlarged scale, on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a detail on the line 44, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 represents the parts shown in Fig. 4: in slightlydifierent position. Figs. 6 and? are detached perspective views of details. Fig. 8 is an elevation of a modified form of apparatus for effecting the closing of a turn-cock instead of the disk-valve shown in Fig. 1, and Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating modifications of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a clockwork mechanism, which may be of any ordinary construction, but preferably is made much stronger than usual in order to effect the driving of other parts to which the initial gear (0 is secured. The balance-wheel I) may also be larger and broader than usual, being subjected to the contact of an automatic stop mechanism. The clockwork mechanism is socured on a vertically-arranged supportingplate 13, which also forms one bearing for a ing from the base plate A. On the shaft 0 are rigidly secured a dial 0, having on its outer face division marks and figures similar to those of a watch or clock, but arranged in reverse order and 0 being substituted for the figure 12, an actuating-disk D, notched at d one point on its periphery, a small friction disk D, a ring D having radiating spring-arms d and a turning-knob d, all these parts turning at all times with the said shaft. The shaft also carries a loose gear-wheel E, held between the friction-disk D and the spring-arms (Z, said gear-wheel normally rotating when the clockwork is operating by reason of the friction exerted by the disk D and spring-arms (Z. The gear-wheel E intermeshes with a pinion e, mounted on a shaft 6, on which is also secured a gear-wheel E, the latter inter-meshing with the initial gear a of the clockwork mechanism so that such clockwork will drive the shaft 0 and all of the parts mounted thereon. On the bed-plate is transverse shaft C, the opposite end of which .is supported in a vertical upright c, extendsecured a platform f and an upper frame f,

through suitable openings in which passes a valve-stem F, having at its'upper endan operating knob or handle F and at its lower end a valve g. 011 the stem is fixed a collar g, between which and the frame f is ahelical compression-spring h, surrounding the valvestem and tending at all times to depress the stem and close the valveg against its seat. The valve may be kept in the open position by a sliding block t, fitted to the upper portion of the frame f and capable of being moved to a position between the top of the frame and the under surface of the knob or handle F, holding the stem permanently elevated and free from the action of the clock and mechanism.

It may be here noted that the pipe II is shown as integral with the base-plate A. This pipe serves as the medium connection in the line of piping which the device is to control and in order to prevent any displacement of the parts such asmight occur while coupling in the line of piping if the pipe were separate from the base. The pipe may, however, be formed in a separate piece and attached by clamps to the base.

The table F serves as a support for two arms K, pivoted to the table and having at one end a pair of jaws it, which partially surround the valve-stem at a point below the collar g when the valve is open and serve to hold the stem in the raised position. When these jaws are separated to permit the downward movement of the collarg between them, the spring 7t forces the stem down and closes the valve. This movement of the jaws is governed by the notched actuating-disk D through the following mechanism:

Pivoted to a standard L is a lever M, having at one end a tooth m, adapted to enter the actuating-notch d in the disk D and at its opposite end having an enlarged wedgeshaped head m, adapted to enter between the inclined faces at the ends of the levers or arms 'K, which latter are acted upon by a spring Z, normally tending to force apart the outer ends of the arms to receive the wedgeshaped head m and to close the jaws 7c. The lever M is connected to a spring Z,which nor mally tends to raise the head m; but this movement is resisted normally by the contact of the toothed end 'm of the lever with the periphery of the disk, and such upward movement of the wedge-shaped head can only occur when in the travel of the disk the notch (1 comes immediately under the tooth m. When this occurs, the end m of the lever is raised from between the ends of the arms K and the jaws 7.: are opened, permitting the spring h to act on the valve-stem and close the valve. The lever M is provided with an arm N, carrying at its outer end a spring-arm n, normally held a slight distance above the periphery of the balance-wheel b of the clockwork and so arranged that when the tooth m descends into the notch d of the disk D said spring will make contact with the balancewheel and stop the clockwork mechanism. The length of time which must elapse before the valve can close is governed by the adj ustment of the dial c and the actuating-disk D, the two being turned by the knob d until the notch and the position of adjustment is indicated by a fixed pointer 11, secured to the standard 0 immediatelyin front of the dial 0.

The gearing which connects the clockwork mechanism to the dial is so arranged that one complete rotation of the dial is effected, in the present instance, each twelve hours, although of course it may be varied considerably. The zero-point of the dial and the notch d are fixed opposite to each other and never vary.

To effect the adjustment of the mechanism to close the valve g-say in two hours from the time at which the adjustment is effected- We will suppose that the valve is open and is held in the open position by the movement of the block 2 under the knob F. The jaws'lt of arms K are in the closed position and the head m of lever M is raised above the open outer ends of said arms, the tooth m is in notch 01 of disk D, and the spring-arm n is in contactwith the balance-wheel b and the clockwork mechanism is stopped- The dial 0 and disk D are turned, with shaft 0, by the knob d to the left, and the gear-wheel E remains stationary While its friction clamps slide. The first effect of the movement will be the contact of'the curved wall of the notch d with the tooth m, effecting the raising of the tooth and the depression of the head m between the inclined faces of the outer ends of arms K and also lifting, effecting the raising of the spring-arm n from the balance-wheel and permitting the starting of the clock-movement, the parts then assuming the positions indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and at. As the dial and disk are turned the various figures 11, 10, 9, S, &c., will gradually pass the indicator it until the desired figure-2 in this caseis reached. The clockwork will in rotating two hours travel the dial and disk in the same direction over the remaining two spaces from 2 to 0, when as O reaches the indicator or pointer the notch d will pass under the tooth m. The lever M will then be elevated by the spring Z, raising the block m from between the outer ends of the arms K, which latter will then be closed by the'compression-spring Z, which opens the jaws 7s, and so permitting the passage of collar g on the valve-stem and closing the valve, it being understood that the permanent holding-block II has previously been slid from under the knob F or from the position shown in Fig. 4 to that shown in Fig. 5. At the same time springarm n will descend on the balance-wheel and stopthe clock-movement, although this is not absolutely necessary, as the clock may run permanently and arm N be altogether dispensed with.

The dial adjustment described may be for any space of time within the limitations of the dial.

All of the parts are inclosed'in a suitable casing P for protection against injury.

The disk-closing valve (shown in Fig. 1) may be replaced by a turn-cock 9 as shown in Fig. 8, to which is secured a lever Q, havin g an adjustable weight r normally held in the open or the closed position, as the case may be, by a projecting fingers on a pivoted lever S. The upper end of this lever is engaged by the inclined end of a lever M, having its tooth an adapted to enter the notch 61 of disk D and, acted upon by aspring Z normally tending to depress the tooth into the notch. When this occurs, the outer arm of the lever is raised, leaving the lever S free, when the weighted lever Q will immediately disengage itself from the finger s and fall, effecting the closing or the opening of the cock, as may be desirable.

As a further modification where the device is used to cut off electrical currents, :0 a," represent line-wires of a circuit terminating, re spectively, in contact-plates it, which are normally connected by a switch-plate u on a guided bar U. A lever M is fulcrumed to a fixed pointand at one end is connected to the bar U and at its opposite end has the tooth on, adapted to enter the notch (Z in dial D. When this occurs, a spring Z raises the lever and moves the bar U in such manner as to break electrical contact between the platesf t, and thus shut off the current.

Various other modifications of the structure herein described may be made without departing from the spirit of my inventionas, for instance, as shown in Fig. 10, by substituting a rack-bar D for the actuating-disk D and employing a pinion E driven from the clockwork mechanism in the mannerheretofore described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a clockwork mechanism, an auxiliary train of gears operated thereby, a shaft on which one of such gears is mounted, friction devices for holding' the gear-wheel to its shaft, a notched disk, an indicating-dial and a turning-knob all secured to said shaft, a stationary pointer in front of said dial, a lever having a toothed end adapted to said notched disk and mechanism connecting said lever to the device to be controlled, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the clockwork mechanism, a shaft 0, a gear-wheel held frictionally thereto, gearing connecting said gearwheel to theinitial gear of the clock mechanism, a dial 0, a notched disk D and a turning-knob all all rigidly secured to said shaft 0, a lever M having a toothed end adapted to said notched disk, and mechanism connecting said lever to the device to be controlled, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the clockwork mechanism, a shaft 0 mounted in an auxiliary frame, a gear-wheel E loosely mounted on said shaft, a friction-disk D, secured to the shaft at one side of and in contact with the gear-wheel, a ring D also secured to the shaft at the opposite side of the gear-wheel, springarms d carried by said ring and adapted to force the gear-wheel into contact with the friction-disk, a notched disk D, a dial 0', and a turning-knob d all rigidly secured to the shaft 0, a lever M having a toothed end adapted to said notched disk, and mechanism connecting the lever to the device to be controlled, substantially as specified. I

a. The combination of the valve, its stem, a collar on said stem, an actuating-spring adapted to move said stem, pivoted arms having jaws adapted to be closed and opened to hold or release the valve-stem, a lever M controlling the movement of said jawed arms, and a rotatable disk for actuating said lever, with means for adjusting said disk.

5. The combination of the valve, a springpressed valve-stem, a collar on said stem, pivoted arms adapted tobe opened or closed to release or hold said stem, a lever M adapted to enter between the opposite ends of said arms, an adjustable notched disk for actuating said lever, and clockwork mechanism for rotating said disk, substantially as specified.

6. The combination of the valve, a springpressed stem carrying the same, a guidingframe f for said stem, a knob F and a collar 9 secured to the stem, a block 1' adapted to slide on the frame to hold the stem in an elevated position, pivoted arms having jaws adapted to engage and release said stem, and

mechanism for opening and closing said arms, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY L. GROOME. \Vitnesses:

R. B. HESTON, MARIAN E. DURAND. 

